| When you buy a mobile phone from Cingular, | | | | Other phones often require hooking your phone |
| they are going to lock their phone internally | | | | to your computer via a USB cable and |
| so that only calls processed through the | | | | downloading the unlocking software. |
| Cingular network will be received by the | | | | |
| unit. If you wish to change to another | | | | Once you have typed in the code, you will |
| service provider you are going to have to | | | | usually receive a message from your phone |
| perform what is called a Cingular unlock. | | | | that lets you know it is now unlocked, but if |
| There is no worry about the legal aspects of | | | | this is not the case; there is an alternative |
| doing this. Unless your contract specifies | | | | way to check. Each unit has what is called a |
| that Cingular retains ownership of the phone, | | | | SIM card that identifies the phone and the |
| you are free to unlock it. It is your | | | | service provider. You will need to borrow a |
| property. Once you unlock your Cingular | | | | SIM card from someone with a cell phone that |
| phone, you are going to be able to take | | | | is connected to a different service and |
| advantage of any special deals being offered | | | | install it into your phone. If it recognizes |
| by competing companies. It is also going | | | | the new SIM card you will know it is |
| increase the resale value of the unit. | | | | unlocked. |
| | | | |
| When you are ready to perform the unlock, you | | | | It is a good idea to record the unlock code |
| are going to have to acquire the unlock code. | | | | once you receive it, and to store it in a |
| There are a large number of websites that | | | | safe place. It is possible to relock phones |
| specialize in Cingular unlock codes and they | | | | via remote signals, and although this is not |
| can provide the code for your individual | | | | done often, you are not going to want to pay |
| model. You need to be prepared to pay for the | | | | twice for the unlock code in the event it |
| code, but the price is not excessive. You can | | | | does occur. Once you have finished the unlock |
| take a little bit of time and shop around for | | | | process, you are free to use whatever service |
| the best deal. Once you are provided with the | | | | you prefer, and will have a more valuable |
| code, it is a simple matter of typing it into | | | | unit should you wish to sell it at a later |
| the mobile phone via the keypad. This is a | | | | date. |
| distinct advantage of the Cingular phones. | | | | |